Northern Railway cancels Phase-In of Train Services due to heavy rain in Jammu
Shadow Correspondent
Srinagar, Oct 6:
Fresh snowfall in the higher reaches and showers in the plains of Kashmir on Monday led to a sharp drop in day temperatures in the valley, officials said.
Snowfall was reported from Sinthan Top in Anantnag district, Affarwat in Gulmarg, Zojila Pass, Bangus in Kupwara, Razdan Pass in Gurez valley and other higher-altitude areas, they said.
The day temperature in the valley dipped by nearly 10 degrees, with the city recording a maximum of around 11 degrees Celsius on Monday, compared to 22.6 degrees Celsius recorded a day earlier.
The Meteorological Department has forecast continued wet weather for the next 24 hours in the valley.
The Northern Railway, Jammu Division, has announced the cancellation of the phase-in of train services due to heavy rains in the region on Monday.
According to Northern Railway, to facilitate passengers during the festive season, the fifth phase of restoration was planned to normalise rail traffic in the Jammu Division. This phase included the re-operation of several key trains. The statement announced that the following trains will resume operations from the specified dates: the Jammu Tawi-New Delhi train will resume operations from October 16, 2025, while the Jammu Tawi-Nanded train will start from October 19. Additonally, Jammu Tawi-Pune train starts from October 17. The Jammu Tawi-Tatanagar train begins on October 18, the Jammu Tawi-Sambalpur train starts on October 19, 2025; the Pathankot-Shaheed Captain Tushar Mahajan train begins on October 15, 2025; and the Shaheed Captain Tushar Mahajan-Pathankot train will commence on October 15.
However, some trains in Jammu are being short-terminated and short-originated. The Jammu Tawi-Bandra Terminus train will be short-terminated from Ludhiana, while the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-Sabarmati BG train will be short-terminated from Amritsar. Additionally, the Shaheed Captain Tushar Mahajan-Kota train will be short-originated from Ludhiana, the Shaheed Captain Tushar Mahajan-Indore train will be short-originated from Jalandhar Cantt, and the Martyr Captain Tushar Mahajan-Durg train will be short-originated from Ambala Cantt.
Uchit Singhal, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, stated that efforts are ongoing to repair damaged tracks, bridges, and other rail infrastructure. He also advised passengers to verify train statuses before travelling.
“Following this disaster, we have worked on a war footing to repair damaged tracks, bridges, and other rail infrastructure. Our aim is to fully restore all rail services as soon as possible, ensuring minimal inconvenience to passengers. We are grateful for their cooperation and patience.”
Additionally, the Senior Divisional Commercial Manager also stated that passengers can also check for updates through the Indian Railways website or by contacting the Rail Madad helpline number (139) for further assistance.
The light snowfall began in the afternoon and soon blanketed the upper reaches of Pir Ki Gali, turning the landscape white and attracting scores of visitors eager to witness the season’s first snow. While the change delighted tourists and travel enthusiasts, farmers expressed unease over the timing. “The harvesting season is at its peak, and sudden snowfall or persistent cold weather could damage apple orchards and other standing crops,” a local farmer said.
Connectivity remains another concern in the region, where poor mobile network coverage hampers communication between tourists and locals. “Improving mobile connectivity in Pir Ki Gali is essential, especially during such weather changes when travel updates and safety information are crucial,” another local said.
Authorities have advised commuters to exercise caution while travelling on the Mughal Road, which may turn slippery due to fresh snow accumulation.
